The scene begins exactly where the previous chapter ends.
Do-hwan stared at the old photograph in his trembling hands, whispering to himself,
"So… this is our first meeting."
His voice cracked, caught between shock and disbelief.
---
Meanwhile
Jae-ahn stood frozen, her heart crashing like thunder.
The moment she saw the childhood picture of Do-hwan and Jihu together, memories exploded inside her mind—clear, sharp, undeniable.
That boy.
The one Jongsuk had been searching for.
Do-hwan.
Why is Jongsuk connected to Do-hwan?
What does this picture mean?
Her thoughts spiraled.
> "Jongsuk never had any friends except me… he barely talks to anyone.
So why him?"
Without hesitating, she dialed Do-hwan's number.
The call rang.
And rang.
No answer.
"I don't have time for this. I need to talk to him now." she muttered, grabbing her coat and rushing toward the door.
But before she could take a step outside—
A soft voice spoke behind her,
"Where are you going, big sis?"
Jae-ahn almost jumped.
She turned sharply and saw Eun-woo standing there.
"Why are you calling me big sis?" she snapped, trying to hide her panic.
Eun-woo blinked innocently.
"Because you're older than me. Your birth month is in July. Mine is December.
So obviously, big sis."
"Fine—call whatever you want." She sighed. "Can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Please don't let Jongsuk know I'm going out. Not right now."
"But how can I—?"
"Please, Eun-woo. Tomorrow I'll make your favorite meal. Deal?"
His face brightened.
"Done!"
---
The Meeting
Outside, the cold night wind cut against her skin as she called again.
This time, the call connected.
"Where are you, Do-hwan?" Jae-ahn demanded.
"I'm on my way home," he answered calmly.
"Don't move. Stay where you are. I need to talk to you. Now."
Minutes later, she reached him.
Her breath was unsteady as she shoved the photo toward him.
The moment Do-hwan saw it, he went rigid.
His eyes widened, trembling, voice breaking apart into whispers—
"Why… why does Jongsuk have this picture?
Why… why would he be looking for me?"
"I don't know," Jae-ahn said quietly. "Do you know him from childhood?"
"No." He shook his head. "At least… I thought I didn't."
"Do you have any childhood photos of Jongsuk?" he asked suddenly.
"Yes. Wait."
She pulled out a photo and handed it to him.
Do-hwan's breath shattered. His voice trembled like glass.
"How… how is this possible?
Is he alive?"
"What are you talking about?" Jae-ahn stepped closer.
"Did you know Jongsuk?"
Do-hwan swallowed.
"Yes… the laboratory. In the forest."
His hands shook violently.
"We were tied up together in an abandoned lab. I heard them say something about experiments. I don't remember their faces, everything was dark. But…"
His voice fell apart.
"Jongsuk helped me escape. He pushed me out. And he got trapped inside again.
I didn't turn back.
I ran.
I left him there to die."
He choked on guilt.
"It's not the time to blame yourself," Jae-ahn said firmly.
"We won't tell Jongsuk yet. I don't want him to suffer more.
First, we need to find out what happened in those 62 days."
Do-hwan nodded weakly.
"I was there for only two days."
"That means the remaining 60 days… he survived alone."
Her voice hardened.
"We're going to find the truth."
---
Back Home
As they reached the house, they saw Eun-woo standing outside, guarding like a soldier.
"Did you start your watchman duty here?" Jae-ahn teased.
"No, big sis! You said not to let Jongsuk know you left. So I stayed here. But he asked about you…"
"It's fine. Let's go."
Inside, Jae-ahn walked straight to Jongsuk and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"You don't need to say anything," she whispered.
"From now on, I'll protect you. Nothing will hurt you again."
Jongsuk stood stiff, shocked by the sudden embrace.
"Don't apologize," she whispered.
But Jongsuk's eyes filled with tears.
Softly, painfully—
"I'm sorry…"
---
The Next Morning
Everything looked normal.
But Jongsuk felt a strange jealousy watching Eun-woo and Jae-ahn talking while cooking.
"Can I help chop vegetables?" Eun-woo asked.
"No need, little boy. Just sit," Jongsuk said quickly.
"I'm not a little boy!" Eun-woo protested.
---
Breakfast
They sat together, eating quietly.
Suddenly Eun-woo's phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
His face went pale.
> If you want your friends to live, kill yourself.
If you stay alive, everyone dies.
If you die, they will live happily.
Choose.
He stared at the screen, frozen, breath shaking, eyes filling with fear.
"Eun-woo?" Jae-ahn asked gently.
"What happened? Did something happen?"
Eun-woo slowly lifted his gaze…
And the chapter ends.
---